High-speed weigh-type filling system



QSept. 6, 1960 w. E. FLACK HIGH-SPEED warm-TYPE FILLING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1957' Sept. 6, 1960 w. E. FLACK HIGH-SPEED wmGH-TYPE FILLING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 30, 1957 to source Sept.v 6, 1960 w. E. FLACK HIGH-SPEED WEIGH-TYPE FILLING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. so. 1951' Sept. 6, 1960 w. E. FLACK HIGH-SPEED wErcH-TYPE FILLING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 30, 1957' Elm 0 'y 3 I Sept. 6, 1960 Filed Aug. 30, 1957 W. E. FLACK HIGH-SPEED WEIGH-TYPE FILLING SYSTEM Fl'g. 4

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 6, 1960 w. E. FLACK 2,951,514

HIGH-SPEED WEIGH-TYPE FILLING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 50, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Unite rates Patent O HIGH-SPEED WEIGH-TYPE FILLING SYSTEM Walter E. Flack, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 30, 1957, Ser. No. 681,240

12 Claims. (Cl. 141-132) This invention relates to a weigh-type filling system, and has tor an object the provision ot novel mea-ns for automatically and rapidly lling cartons with a granular product of predetermined weight.

The present invention is an improvement on the apparatustor conveying and filling cartons described in First et al. Patent No. 2,320,581. In that patent, the product was separated from a large mass into individual measuring asks having a controlled volume. Each ot the tlasks was provided with a gate, which, when opened, discharged the product trom the ask into one of the cartons disposed beneath it. While this method ot filling cartons by volume has proved satisfactory on many types ot products, it nevertheless has left something to be desired when the density of the product changes. Many products of the free-owing granular type, such, tor example, as dehydrated products, cake mixes, breakfast foods, spices, etc., have a tendency to change in density within a very short period of time. -At the start of a run or tilling operation, the flasks in the aforesaid patent are adjusted to a predetermined volume which will give the required weight in the tilled carton at the then existing density. Many cartons are adapted to be filled during a particular run, for example, several thousand, and when the density ot the product changes, this results in a change in weight of the product deposited in the cartons although no change has been made in the volume of the tiasks. Since it is the practice to print on -the empty cartons, the weight ot the product to be contained therein, for example, so many ounces, it is necessary that when the cartons have been lled and sealed, they contain the proper weight. It is particularly important that they not be underweight, and in the interest ot economy, it is important that they not exceed the marked weight except perhaps, by a small amount.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system tor rapidly tlling cartons at rates of 400 to 500 or more per minute, and for controlling the weight of the material in the cartons Within narrow predetermined limits.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing a granular product in which a conveyor feeds the granular product at a given rate and allows it to tall on an inclined scale pan. There also is provided adjustable means for controlling the depth of the product on the conveyor and means responsive to the elevation of the scale pan to adjust the speed of the conveyor in accordance with any deviation from a predetermined rate ot teed of the product.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a product conveyor is adapted to deliver a granular product to a rotatable turret having a plurality of equally spaced tunnels. A carton conveyor is adapted to move cartons beneath the tunnels through an angle ot rotation of the turret of approximately 180. The turret and the carton conveyor are moved in synchronism, and switch means is disposed in the path of movement of the cartons as they approach the turret for actuating the product con- 4 ICC veyor so as to produce a uniform flow of product from the product conveyor into the tunnels when a carton arrives therebeneath. The switch means automatically stops the actuation of the product conveyor in the absence of cartons on the carton conveyor.

In -accordance with a further aspect ot the invention, means are provided tor detecting any clogging or obstruction in the tunnels after the granular product has been deposited in the cartons, so that `the operator will be warned of such clogging and the operation ot the apparatus interrupted.

For further objects and advantages ot the invention and for a more detailed understanding thereof, reference is to be had to the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation ot apparatus embodying the present invention;

iFig. 1A is a fractional perspective view of the apparatus illust-rated in Fig. 1 and shows the control circuit in diagrammatic form;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fractional side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fractional side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2;

`Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modication of the invention illustrated in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view ot another modication of the invention including a diagrammatic control circuit; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit tor detecting clogged tunnels.

The filling machine 10 shown in Fig. l is generally ot the type disclosed in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,320,581. Briey, cartons are removed trom a stack (not shown) at the right-hand side ot Fig. l, opened by suitable mechanism and sealed at their bottoms while being moved along on a carton conveyor .11. The carton conveyor 11 cornprises a plurality ot pairs ot blocks or similar clamping elements 12 forming pockets in which the cartons are disposed during their transport extending outwardly from the driven endless conveyor belt 13 and. inside ot one or more guide rails 14. After the bottom aps of the cartons C have been coated with adhesive and closed, the ilaps are adapted to be held in closed position While the adhesive dries by the endless belt 15 which is disposed beneath the carton conveyor 11 and is driven at the same speed. The adhesive preferably is applied to the flaps in pattern form, as disclosed in copending application Serial No. 366,452, -now Patent No. 2,873,717, so as not to contact the product to be placed in the cartons.

As the cartons C move along on the conveyor 11, they engage a switch 16, Fig. 1A, which is disposed along their path ot movement at a point adjacent the rotary lling head or turret 17. When the switch 16 is closed, the actuator 18 for the product conveyor 19 is energized which starts a controlled flow ot product from a supply hopper 20 along the product conveyor 19, so that it passes over an inclined scale pan 21 which is connected with a weighing scale 22. The product passes over the inclined scale pan 21 and into the plurality ot tunnels 23 which depend from the rotary turret 17. The product passes through the tunnels and into the individual cartons C which are positioned beneath the tunnels on the carton conveyor 11.

The lling apparatus 1t) is provided with a main drive motor 25, Fig. 1, which is positioned on a baseplate 26 and is adapted to drive the carton conveyor 11 continuously at a predetermined uniform speed. The drive motor 25 is also adapted to drive the turret 17, so that the pockets or tunnels 23 will move at the same speed and in synchronism with the cartons C which are. disposed therebeneath on the carton conveyor 11.

The control means for the actuator 18 of the product conveyor-19, as diagrarnmatically illustrated :in Fig.a1A, maybe. conveniently contained 4within vthe control; box V30, shown in Fig. 1. ln theembodiment shown :in Figs. l1 and. 1A, the product conveyor has been illustrated in the form of a' vibrator including an actuator ,18.which'1is adapted Vto shake 'a trough 19 disposedxbeneath the supply hopper 20. The supply hopper .20 'is provided with an internal baiile, later to be described, and an adjustable gate 30, Fig.v 1A, for controlling the flow of product from vthe supply hopper. To adjust the iilling machine for -a particular run of material, the operator adjusts-the `baflie and .thegate 30 on the supply hopper'20 so that a predetermined qu-antity of material will be delivered to each carton as it is rotated beneath the scalepan .21. For example, the product or material may take the form of a dry granular baby-food and these adjustments might be made so as to deliver one ounce of baby-foodto each carton. VThe'vibrator 18'may be of any suitable type well known in the art, for example, such as the. electrically actuated type where the amplitude of vibration of the trough. 19 is varied by varying the resistance in the circuit to vary the rate of feed of the product or granular material. The term granular is used throughout ,the speciication and claims in the generic sense to. designate all typesof dry products which are madeup Voflseparate particles, such for example, as breakfast foods, `.potato chips, powdered materials, dried fruits and vegetables, and frozen foods, such as frozen peas, land other similar semi-dry materials.

The vibrator 18 is adapted to be energized from a' suit able source of alternating voltage supply L1, L2, Fig. 1A, and the amplitude of vibration is controlled by the amount of resistance in the circuit. This resistance is controlled :by the manually adjustable resistor 31 and the resistor 32 which is automatically adjustable in accordance with variations in the Weight of the product passing over the scale pan 21.

In. connection with the example given above, it was assumed that the machine is to be adjusted to deliver one ounce of product to a carton. To accomplish this, the operator adjusts the manually adjustable rheostat 31 and the baflie and gate 30, so as to deliver one ounce of material to a carton C with the movable contact 3-2a'of the automatically adjustable resistor 32 disposed in its mid position, as illustrated in Fig. lA. Thisv permits the amount of resistance in the circuit to the vibrator 18 to be raised or lowered, depending upon the density of the product as it passes `over the scale pan 21. The foregoing adjustment is made with the filling machine 10 running at ak predetermined uniform speed, for example, 400 cartons per minute. The carton conveyor 11 is driven by a synchronous motor 25 and thus the speed of the cartons C does not vary from the selected predetermined speed. The turret 17 rotatesat the same speed as the carton conveyor 11 and the pockets or funnels 23 are adapted to be aligned with the carton receiving spaces between the blocks 12 on the conveyor 11. As may be seen in Fig. 1A, the rear flap at the top of the cartons is held down byr a guide 33 to permit the lower ends of the funnels 23 to be inserted into the open ends of the cartons C. VThe funnels 23 are in communication with the interior of the cartons'C during approximately 180 of revolution of the turret 17 andthis permits suicient time for the product to pass through the unnels'23 into the cartons C to. iill the latter with a predetermined amount of product even at speeds as high as 400 to 500 or more per minute. To aid in this high-speed filling operation, it will benoted lthat .the width of the scale pan 21 and thetrough 19 is substantial so that the product is `being deposited into more than one funnel 23 at thesame time. This construction has the further advantage that vany variation in the. quantij;y .of product being fed across .the sca1e1pnl1 4 will automatically bedivided into a plurality of cartons rather than being deposited in a single carton. This eliminates certain cartons from being either greatly overweight or underweight and by dividing the product into a -plurality of cartons enables substantially all of them to be maintained Within the predetermined weight tolerances. Further inv this. connection, it will be notedV that A.thedischarge end Yof the trough19 is cut oit at an angle and the scaleV pan.21 is.- supported at a similar angle beneath the discharge end 19a. lSince the product is fed alongthe trough.19 by the'vibrationscreated by the vibrator 18, it will be understood that the product will travel in'waves and that hills and valleys of the product will be created. These hills and valleys will extend straight across the vibrator trough 19"andthusby providing. the trough with an angular discharge end such as 19a, only a part of the hill or valley of the product will be discharged on to the scale pan 21 per unit oflinear travel of the product down the trough 19. This further assures that a uniform weight off the product will be distributed into the cartons C.

The control circuit for the vibrator 18 may be traced in Fig. 1A from one side of the supply line L1 by way of conductor 40 to one side of the vibrator 18 and from the other side of the vibrator 18 by way of conductorl 41 to switch 16. Switch V16 is vprovided with an actuating arm 16a which`V is adapted-to extend into the path of the cartons C as they'approach the turret 117. YThe cartons hold the. switch 16 in closed position and complete the circuit by-way of conductor 42, manually operated rheostat-31 'and -a portionof resistor 32, the movable contact 32a andconductor 43 to the opposite side of the line L2. The movable contact 32a is adapted to be driven from a suitable source, such for example, as a reversible motor 45 by way of a suitable mechanical connection diagrammatically illustrated as. including a pinion 46 and a gear 48. The reversible motor 45 is illustrated as being driven from a suitable power supply, such for example, as a battery B. One side of the battery is connected by way of a conductor 47 directly to the motor 45 and the other side of the battery B is connected by way of a flexible conductor-47a to a movable contact 49a carried on an extension `49 which in turn is secured to and moves with the balance beam of the weighing scale 22.

When Aa product passing over the scale pan 21 during a iilling operation increases in density, the balance beam 50 will deflect accordingly .to raise the extension .arm 49 and bring the movable contact 49a into engagement with the stationary contact 51 and thus complete the electrical .circuit by way of conductor 52 to energize motor 45 for rotation in a direction to .rotate the movable contact 32a in .a counter-clockwise direction. This results in an increase in the resistance in the circuit of the vibrator 118 which in turn decreases the amplitude of vibration of the vibrator trough 19 thereby reducing the rate of `feed of the product over the scale pan 21. This automatic operation compensates for the increase in density of the product permitting .the balance 'beam 50 to.return to its balanced position, thus opening the contacts 49a and 51 and again moving the arm '49 to the mid position, as shown in Fig. 1A. When the density of the product decreases `during a lling operation, the

`balance beam 50 will again move from its balanced position, this time with Athe arm 49 moving downwardly to bring the movable contact 49a into engagement with the lower stationary contact 54. This will complete Ithe circuit to the motor 45 yby way of conductor 55 to rotate motor 45 in a reverse direction. This will cause the rotation of movable contact 32a in a clockwise direction to reduce the amount of resistance Ain the circuit of the vibrator 18 and thus cause .an increase in amplitude ofthe vibrations `of the trough 19 and thereby increase the rate of feed of Ithe product. This increaseV in feed of product Icauses the balance beam Sil' to again seek ai balanced position thereby :opening --the .circuit between movabletcontact :49a :and stationary `contactf154 when the rate of feedof product has been adjusted to iill the cartons with the predetermined weight of product.

The control between the vibrator 18 and lthe balance beam 50 of the scale 22 may take any suitable `form which is suiiiciently rapid in response to permit the carton iilling machine 1t)` to operate at a high rate of speed but at the same time to maintain a relatively close tolerance on the weight of the product deposited in each carton. For example, the arm 49 of the scale may be employed -to actuate a transducer for transforming a mechanical signal into an electrical signal for use, in connection with an electronic system for raising or lowering the voltage on the vibrator 18 to control the amplitude of vibration of the vibrator trough 19. The specic manner in which the voltage is controlled on the vibrator 18 does not form part of the present invention.

As may be seen in Figs. 1-4, the hopper 20 is supported `from a rectangular frame 60 formed from a plurality of channel sections, Fig. 2. The frame 60 is supported above the carton conveyor 11 by a pair of front legs 61, 62 and -a rear leg 63. The hopper 20 is maintained in position by means of a plurality of depending members 65, Fig. 3, secured to the sides of the hopper 29, and the lower ends of which are adapted to engage brackets 66 which are secured to the upper side of the supporting rectangular yframe 60. The elevation of the hopper 20 may be -adjusted by members 65 and 66 to permit adjustment of the slope of the vibrator trough 19, as later described. The upper end of the hopper 20 is open and is adapted to receive a supply of the granular product, lfor example, from a feed chute (not shown). The inside of the hopper 2li is provided with baiie structure 68 .at the lower end of which is pivoted an internal gate 69 yfor controlling the iiow of the product within the hopper 20. The internal material gate 69 is pivoted at 70 to the opposite side walls of ythe hopper 26 `and the position of the gate 69 may be observed from outside of the hopper Ztl by means of the gate indicator 71 which is also pivoted .at 70 and .is movable with the gate 69. Both the gate 69 and the indicator 71 are secured to the pivot rod 79 and the upper end of the indicator 71 is connected to `an actuating rod 72 which is movable between open and closed positions from the outside of the hopper 20. 'I'he outer end of rod 72 is threaded .and provided with adjustable nuts 73 and 74 which serve .as stops to limit the movement of the indicator 71 and its associated gate 6-9. The vertical member 65 adjacent the rod 72 is provided with a slot which is adapted to be engaged by either of fthe `stop nuts 73 or 74. As may be seen in Fig. 3, with the indicator 71 -in its yfull line position, the 4gate 69 will be closed to prevent ow of product through the hopper. The gate 69 will be moved to open position when the indicator is moved to its broken line position,

as shown in Fig. 3, by rotating it in the direction of the arrow and thus moving the stop nut 74 into engagement with the vertical member 65. This will move the gate to the phantom line position indicated at 69a in Fig. 3. At .the lower end of lthe hopper 20, .there is provided a discharge gate 30. The discharge gate 30 is adapted to be raised `or lowered by means of the manually adjustable knob 77 which controls the elevation of the gate 30 and thus the height or depth of .the material delivered to the vibrator trough 19.

The vibrator 18 and its trough 19 are also supported from the Iframe 60. The'support for the vibrator unit is of lthe resilient type and comprises four hanger units 80, '.Fig. 2. Each of the hanger units 80 comprises an upper rod 81, Fig. 4, which is secured to the frame 60 and depends therefrom. The lower end of the. rod 81 is provided with `a stop or an abutment 82 which is engaged by one end of a compression spring 83 which is coiled around rod 81. The spring 83 is enclosed within a housing 84 having upper and lower end caps 85 and 86, respectively. The vibratory unit is suspended lfrom the lower end cap 86 by means of hanger structure 87 and maintains the spring 83 under compression. The slope of the vibrator may be changed by `adjustment of nuts 81a, Fig. 4, to compensate for the difference in ease of flow of different products. Rubber mountings 81b are disposed beneath the nuts 81a to isolate the `frame 60 from the vibrations caused by the vibrator unit. In order to minimize the dust from the granular product, the vibrating trough 19 preferably is provided with a cover S3 which is adapted to be pivoted adjacent the end near the hopper 2t), as by a hinge 89.

The weighing scale 22, Fig. 4, is adapted to be supported yon la bracket 99 which is secured as by bolts 91 to the leg 62. The weighing scale 22 includes a balance beam 56 centrally pivoted at 92. One end of the beam 56 is provided with a supporting plate 93 from which depend a plurality of supporting rods 94 which are adapted to support the scale pan 21. The lower ends of the rods 94 `are connected to members 95 which in turn support the scale pan 21 in :an inclined position. As will be noted in Fig. 2, the scale pan 21 is disposed at the same angle with respect to the center line of the vibrator trough 19 as the discharge end 19a of the trough 19. Thus the waves of material which progress along the trough 19 will be transferred across the scale pan 21 in sections. By dividing these waves of material into small segments or sections, the material will be more evenly `distributed into a plurality of .the cartons, thus maintaining a closer tolerance between the weight in the different cartons.

The opposite end of the balance beam 50 is provided with a counter-weight 97 for maintaining the beam 50 in a balanced position when the predetermined weight of granular product is passing over the scale pan 21. In order to provide a visual indication of the position of the blance beam 50, there is provided an indicating device 93, Figs. 2 and 4, having an indicating scale 99, Fig. 4. The scale 99 may be provided with suitable divisions, for example, showing fractions of an ounce.

To further minimize the dust problem created by the rapid flow of the granular product, the rotating turret 17 preferably is provided with a stationary cover plate 106, Figs. 2 and 4. rIhe cover plate 160 is provided with an opening 191 therethrough, having a size suicient to receive the discharge end of the scale pan 21. The cover 166 is adapted to be supported in stationary position by means of brackets 102 connected to legs 61 and 62, and by an additional bracket 103 connected to a support 104, Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown a modification of the filling machine 10 previously described in detail in connection with Figs. l-4. The carton conveyor 11 is identical in construction with the previous carton conveyor and the parts thereof have been identied with the same reference characters. The other parts of the lling machine in Fig. 5 which are generally similar both in construction and in function to the parts of the machine 10 shown in Figs. 1-4 have been identified with similar reference characters increased by one hundred. The rotating turret 117 is driven in synchronism with the car ton conveyor 11. The vibrator 118 is provided with a sloping vibrator trough 119 which is adapted to receive the granular product from a supply hopper (not shown) and feed the material at a controlled rate of ow across the scale pan 121 and into the plurality of equally spaced funnels 123 depending from the rotating turret 117. The funnels 123 are spaced for alignment with the individual cartons C disposed between the pairs of carton clamping blocks 12 on the carton conveyor 11 and the lower ends of the funnel 123 are adapted to be received within the opened flaps at the upper end of the cartons C.

The vibrator unit 118-119 is supported from an overhead frame by way of spring mounting devices 180, the frame 160 being supported on a plurality of legs 162,

.one'of vvhichisY shown irri-iig. 5. The weighing scale device `1'22which-includes'the movable scalepan 121 is also mounted oni'theleg162.

4Similar to the vibrating trough 19 and the scale pan 21,"the width of the trough 119 and the scale pan 121 is sicient'to discharge continuously and concurrently into a plurality ofthe tunnels 123, preferably three or more in number. This tends to minimize the deviation in weight from oney carton 4to another, particularly when the rate of" feed of thegranular product is being changeddue to an increase or decreasein the amplitude of the vibration of the vibrator trough 119. Further to equalize the flow of material in'tothe funnels 123 and thus into the cartons C, Vthere is provided an externally supported adjustable deflector 200 closely adjacent the discharge end 11911 of the vibrator trough V1'19. The purpose of the deflector 20G is to. control the flow velocity and impact force of the granular material with respect to the scale pan 121. The deector 200 is mounted on Va bracket 201 which extends from support 162. lThe angle of inclination of the chute 200 isy adjustable at 202 and the position of the chute 200 is-such that the discharge of material from the vibrator chute 119 falls against the deflector or chute 200 and the direction of the feed of material is changed before they material contacts the'weighing pan 121 which is supportedfrom the scale 122 by members 194. The chute or deflector 200 thus absorbs the impact of the material from the vibrator trough 119 and allows the material to gently contact the scale pan 121. It also serves the purpose of maintaining a constant speed of the material passing over thescale pan 121 due to the change in direction of the ow of the material. Regardless of the rate of speed of discharge from the vibrator trough 119, the material when changing direction will accelerate at a constant speed due only to the eifect of gravity. After the material passes over the scale pan 121, it falls on another inclined chute204 which directs the material into the plurality of funnels 123:` on the rotating turret 117. The chute 204 is supported on an arm 205 which in turn is supported on member 162. The angle of inclination of the chute 204 may be adjusted at 206 in order to insure that the product will be directed into the tunnels 123.

p While the product conveyor has been illustrated in Figs. l-5 inthe form of a vibrator trough 19, it is not limited thereto but may take the form of an endless belt, such for example, as shown in the modication illustrated in'Fig. 6. In filling large boxes or containers with product, it is necessary that the product conveyor be of large size in order to,feed sucient quantity of the product to the rotating turret 17. At high speeds, in the order of 400 or more cartons per minute, the quantity of product handled isquite a problem and the size of the vibrator becomes important. In order to avoid the use of unreasonably large vibrators, the product conveyor may take the form ofan endless belt, as now to be described in connection withFig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 6, the granular product is deposited in a hopper 220 and its discharge from the lower end thereof onto an endless belt conveyor 219 is controlledby the adjustable gate mechanism 230. The gate mechanism230 includes a plate member 23011 which is adapted to be raised or lowered by means of the adjusting screw 277. At the lower end of the plate, there is mounted ajdriven roller 230i?. The outer surface of the roller 230b isprovided with projecting structure which may take various forms, such asbrush bristles, pins, or

s way of a control unitU. The control unit may. be of any suitable type-and, for convenience, preferably will include provision for reversing the rotation of motor M, as well as for varying the speed of rotation thereof, asl later' to be described.

The .endless conveyor belt 219 is adapted to pass over a/pair of rollers`240 and 241, the latter of which is driven. The drive for roller 241, and thus the belt 219, is provided by an adjustable kspeed motor 242. The motor 242 isV provided With a shaft extension 243 at the outer end of which is a pulley 244. The roller 241 likewise is. provided with ,a shaft extension 245 and at its outer end is aV pulley 246. The two pulleys V244 and 246 are interconnected by means of a' belt 247, thus completing the mechanical drive from motorA 242 to the endless conveyor belt 219 which feeds the product from the hopper220` to the inclined scale pan 221, which is similar in construction to scale pans described in connection with the previous modifications of the invention. The control for the drive motor`242 may take the same form as that for the virbator 18 illustrated in Fig. lA and'for that reason, the leads to the motor 242 have been identified with .the same reference characters 40 and 41, respectively.

The scale Apan 221 is adapted to discharge into the rotating turret of the'llingmachine in the same manner, asj previously described, in connection with scale pans 21 and 121. 'It is to be noted that the motor 242 for the endless conveyor' belt219 is not vdriven in synchronism with the rotating turret and the carton conveyor 11 but instead is controlled by the position of the scale pan 221 onto which the product vfalls from the endless belt 219. The endless conveyor belt construction permits the product to beconveyed at a substantial depth and thus enables larger .packages to be filled rapidly. The endless belt construction has a further advantage over the vibrator construction for the reason that the material on the moving belt 219 is stationary with respect to the belt. In the vibrator modifications, the vibrator trough is moving with respect to the material on it. When the material is fed by a vibrator, the ne particles -tend to collect at the bottom of the ovv of material, and in some instances, the fine particles tend to move in a reverse direction to the heavier particles of the material. Thus, in some applications, Where the products being fed comprise a mixture, it may be preferable to employ the endless belt conveyor in place of a vibrator. An example of a product which will have a different appearance when fed by.a vibrator from that which it has when fed by an endless belt is a chocolate cake mix. Such mix includes both sugar and chocolate, and the two substances tend to be separated by the vibrator with the ine particles being sifted to the bottom and thus the color ofthe product will change with the sugar being separated from the chocolate.

While the driven roller form of gate Von the supply hopperV has been illustrated in Fig. 6 in connection with the endless belt conveyor modification, it will of course `be understood that this type of adjustable gate may be used in connection with the in Figs. 1 5

The control unit U has been illustrated schematically in Fig. 6` and includes conductors 251 and 252 connected to supply lines L1 and L2, respectively. Conductor 252 is yconnected to an'adjustable resistor 253 having .a movable contact 253a which is connected to thecommon conductor of the reversible motor M. vTo complete the circuit to.drive the motor M in onedirection, there lis provided a switch 25S which is shown in closed position and completes the circuit from L1 through conductor 251 and through switch 255 to the motor lead 256. y To reverse the direction of rotation of motor M,.switch 255 may be opened and supply line L1 connected by way of conductor 251 through a switch 257 to the.other.motor lead258. VAs illustrated, the switches 255 and 257 may be ganged mechanically so as vibrator modifications shown to open one of the switches when the other switch is closed.

In some applications, it is preferable that the speed of rotation of the roller l23% be changed concurrently with change in speed of the conveyor belt 219 rather than independently controlling the speeds of the roller 230b and the belt 219. To accomplish this, the movable contact 253e of rheostat 253 and the movable contact 32a of rheostat 32 may be ganged as by a mechanical connection and connected to gear 48, Fig, 1A, illustrated by the broken line 43a in Fig. 6. This construction is particularly desirable when the product being fed does not ow freely from the hopper as the change in speed of roller 230b will assist in controlling the supply of product to the belt 219.

In order to detect any clogging or obstruction of the product in the funnels 23 after the funnels have moved out of alignment with the respective cartons, there is provided a warning system for indicating to the operator, either by shutting down the machine or otherwise, that the filling operations are not being performed properly. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, there is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 7 a circuit breaker 260 in the supply line between the source and the feeder lines L1, L2 to the system. When the system is operating in normal manner, the circuit breaker 26% is energized in closed position as shown in Fig. 7 and power is supplied to lines L1 and L2. A photocell 275 is mounted beneath the turret 17 at the rear and directly below the path of the rotating funnels 23. The photocell 275, Figs. 1 and 7, is adapted to View each funnel 23 after it has deposited its load of product in the carton and moved out of alignment with such carton. Directly above the turret 17 and in line with the photocell 275 is a light source 276, Figs, 1, 2 and 7, which is adapted to direct light to the photocell 275 when an empty funnel 23 passes therebetween. The photocell 275 is connected by a conductor 277 to the central conducting portion of a commutator device 278 which is adapted to be driven in timed relation with the turret 17 by way of a mechanical connection indicated by broken line 279, The circuit for the power supply 28o, which may be of conventional form, for energizing the operating coil 26011 of the circuit breaker 260 is adapted to be alternately completed Aeither by way of the comutator 273 or the photocell 275. The commutator device 273 is adapted to have a plurality of insulating portions 278a on its surface` corresponding to the number of funnels 23 on the turret. 17. When the opening through a funnel is in alignment with the photocell. `275, one of the insulating portions 278i: will engage the commutator contact 281. If the funnel has discharged ali of the product into the carton, the light from source 276 will strike the photocell 275, thus completing the circuit to the power supply 280. This will continue to energize the coil 269er, thus maintaining the contacts of the circuit breaker 269 closed.

When the photocell 275 views or scans the space between adjacent funnel openings, it will not receive any light from the source 276, and thus the circuit through the photocell 275 is not completed. However, at that time the commutator 278 has rotated with the turret 17 to bring a conducting portion 278i? of the commutator into engagement with the contact 281 to complete the circuit to the power supply 280 by way of conductor 283, conducting portion 278]; of commutator 278, contact 281, and conductor 284. Thus the coil Zoila for the circuit breaker will remain energized, and the contacts of the breaker will remain closed until another funnel 23 is directly over the photocell 275. At this time, if the photocell 27S does not receive light from the source 276, the circuit to the power supply 2S@ by way of conductors 277 and 285 from the photocell 275 is not completed. Since the insulating portion 278g of the commutator is then in engagement with the contact 271, the circuit from the commutator to the power supply 280 is likewise not completed. Thus, the coil 260a of the circuit breaker 260 `vvill be deenergized, thereby opening the contacts of the breaker which connect lines L1 and L2 with the main source of power. This results in shutting off the power to the main drive motor 25, Fig. 1, and also to the vibrator 18, and thus the feed of cartons as well as the feed of the product will stop. After the operator has cleared the funnel of the obstruction which caused the shutdown of the system, the system may again be put into operation by operating the handle `286 to reclose breaker 260, Fig. 7, reconnecting the lines L1 and L2 to the main power supply.

While there has been described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that further modilications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing a granular product at a high rate of speed comprising conveyor means for feeding the granular product at a given rate, a substantially at scale pan inclined at a predetermined angle to receive the product fed by said conveyor means without interrupting the normal ow of the product, said at scale pan having a width adequate to deliver the granular product concurrently to at least three cartons adjustable means for controlling the depth of said granular product on said conveying means, and means responsive to the elevation of said scale pan to adjust the speed of said conveyor means in accordance with any deviation from a predetermined feed of `said product.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein s'aid conveyor means comprises a vibrator.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless belt.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for controlling the depth of material on said conveyor means comprises an adjustable gate on a hopper which supplies the granular product to said conveyor means.

5. Apparatus for dispensing a granular product comprising conveyor means for feeding the granular product at a given rate, a scale pan positioned at a predetermined angle to receive the product fed by said conveyor means, an adjustable gate on a hopper which supplies the granular product to said conveyor means for controlling the depth of product on said conveyor means, said adjustable gate including a roller having structure projecting from the surface thereof and adapted to engage the granular product within said hopper, means for driving said roller to assist said' conveyor means in delivery of the granular product to said scale pan, and means responsive to the elevation of said scale pan to adjust the actuation of said conveyor means in accordance with any deviation from a predetermined feed of said product.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 including means for concurrently controlling said conveyor means and said roller in accordance with any deviation from said predetermined feed of said product.

7. Apparatus for dispensing `a granular product comprising a vibrator for feeding said product at a given rate, said vibrator having its discharge end extending across the path of feed of said product at an angle other than a right angle, a scale pan supported beneath said discharge end of said vibrator and at the same angle, a rotating turret having a plurality of equally spaced funnels beneath the discharge end of said scale pan, and means for rotating said turret at a predetermined speed with respect to the rate of feed of said granular product by said vibrator, whereby any waves created in said granular product as it is fed along by s'aid vibrator will be uniformly distributed in a plurality of said funnels on said turret.

`8. A carton feeding and lling system comprising a rotatable turret having a plurality of equally spaced funnels, a product conveyor adapted to deliver a granular product to said turret, a carton conveyor adapted to move cartons beneath said turret and in alignment with said funnels through a predetermined angle of rotation of said turret, means for scanning said funnels after movement out of alignment with said cartons to detect failure of said funnels to discharge the product into the cartons, and means responsive to said scanning means for stopping said system.

9. A carton feeding and filling system comprising' a rotatable turret having a plurality of spaced funnels, a product conveyor adapted to deliver a granular product to said funnels of said turret in accordance with a predetermined flow, means for conveying cartons along a predetermined path beneath said turret and in alignment withsaidfunnels for a predetermined angle of rotation of said turret, electrical means for sensing the passage of said predetermined ow of product through said funnels', and means responsive to said sensing means for interrupting the movement of the cartons along said predeterminedpath upon failure of said funnels to .pass said. predetermined flow of product. 10. Apparatus for dispensing a granular product cornprising conveyor means for feeding the granular product atragiven rate, a scale pan positioned at a predeterminedangle to receive theproduct fed by said conveyor means, a Vdefiector supported between said conveyor means and said scale pan to absorb the impact of said product before said product reaches' said scale pan, said deilector vbeing disposed at an angle different from the angle of said conveyor means and corresponding to the angle of said Iscale panso as to maintain constant speed of said product passing over said scale pan regardless of the yquantity of said product, adjustable means for controlling the depth of said granular product on said conveyor means, and means responsive to the elevation of said scale pan to adjust the actuation of said conveyor means in accordance with any deviation from a predetermined feed of said product.

11. A high-speed carton feeding and filling system comprising a rotatable turret having a plurality of equallyspaced funnels, fa product conveyor adapted for actuation to delivera granular product in a continuous flow, a scale pan positioned between said product conveyor and said turret and inclined to transfer the product therebetween without interrupting the normal iiow, a carton conveyor adapted to move cartons beneath said funnels of said turret through a predetermined angle of rotation of said turret, means for driving said turret and said carton conveyor at the same uniform speed, and switch means disposed in the path of movement of the cartons as they approach said turret on said carton conveyor`for actuating said product conveyor prior-to arrival of Va carton therebeneath, said switch means being positioned at a predetermined location along said carton conveyor in advance of said turret so as to produce la uniform flow of product from said conveyor acrossl said scale pan into said funnels of said turret when a carton farrives there-beneath, said switch means automatically stopping the lactuation of said product conveyor inthe absence of cartons on said carton conveyor :at said predetermined location to prevent discharge of kproduct through said funnels in the absence of a cartony therebeneath while permitting the product onsad scalei-pan to complete the filling of the remaining cartonsbetween said predetermined location 'and said turret.

12. A high-speed carton feeding and lling 'system comprising a rotatable turret having a plurality ofA equallyspaced funnels, a carton conveyor Iadapted `to'move cartons beneath said funnels of said turret through apredetermined angle of -rotation of said turret, meansfor driving said turret and said carton conveyor 'at the same uniform speed, a product conveyor for feeding a granular product at a given rate, a substantially atscalef-pan positioned between said product conveyor andvsaidturret and inclined at a predetermined angle to receive the product fed by said product conveyor without' interrupting the normal flow of the product in transferringthe product to said funnels, saidfiat scale panv having sa width adequate to deliver the granular product concurrently to at least three of said funnels and the corresponding cartons therebeneath on said carton conveyor,.ad justable means for controlling the depth of said' granular product on said product conveyor, and means responsive to the elevation of said scale pan to adjust-thespeed'of said product conveyor in accordance with any deviation from a predetermined feed of said product.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,777,670 Hausman Oct. '7, 19,30 2,100,315 Harper Nov.,30, ,1937 2,273,330 Robinson Feb. 17, 1942 2,276,383 Francis Mar. 17, 1942 2,381,505 Lindblom Aug. 7, 1945 2,603,398 Fischer etal July 15, 1952 2,753,099 Jenner Let al, July-3,'1956 

